Why do we like robots that act like humans? What kind of inner life does an insect have? And can exoplanets offer us a better home?

The best science writing doesn't just answer questions, it cracks them open. It dissects them, probes them and solves their mysteries. It takes you on a journey of discovery. Science is a deeply human endeavour and the stories we tell about it can be powerful, life-changing forces for good. They can show us the windblown work of Antarctic researchers as they drill into floating ice shelves, examine the possibility of language in whales, educate us on how to understand data and its limitations, and describe the fervour that accompanies the opening of a corpse flower.

This much-loved anthology now in its fifteenth year selects the most riveting, entertaining, poignant and fascinating stories from Australian writers, poets and scientists. With a foreword by materials scientist, engineer and inventor Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, The Best Australian Science Writing 2025 covers another momentous year in science.